In the absence of reliable pandemic detection systems, computer-based simulations have become an important information tool for both policy-makers and the general public….

Although important lessons were learned during previous influenza pandemics16 and the 2003 epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS),17 the interdependence among the broad range of processes occurring in a society under true stress (such as a pandemic) is not fully understood. In other words, even relatively minor breaches of the social order may significantly affect key infrastructural elements underpinning current pandemic response strategies. This frailty in the response strategies was not reflected in the description of the baseline situation in the case-study community.WHO http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/87/4/07-050203/en/

Flusurveyhttp://flusurvey.org.uk LSHTM

n contrast to traditional surveillance methods, Flusurvey collects data directly from the general public, rather than via hospitals or GPs. This is particularly important because many people with flu don’t visit a doctor so don’t feature in traditional flu surveillance.